Laptop Program (BYOD)
The St Mary's College Bring Your Own Device program for Years 7–12: minimum specifications, approved models, the College Device Portal, insurance and warranty, chargers, care rules and what happens when a device is damaged or forgotten.
Every student in Years 7 to 12 brings their own laptop to school each day. Devices are used in most lessons for research, writing, collaboration and accessing the Learning Hub, and Year 12 students use them for many SACs. Families own the device and choose where to buy it, within the specifications below. The program is supported by our ICT Helpdesk (Library ground floor, 8:00am–4:00pm) and governed by the ICT Acceptable Use Policy and Digital Learning and AI Policy.
Minimum specifications (Year 7 2027 and any new device)
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Windows 11 laptop or Apple MacBook | Windows 2-in-1 with touchscreen and stylus |
| Screen | 13-inch | 13–14 inch (larger is heavy to carry) |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD | 512 GB SSD |
| Battery | 8 hours real use (must last the school day — charging at school is not available in classrooms) | 10+ hours |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Camera and microphone | Built in | Built in |
| Keyboard | Physical keyboard required | Backlit |
| Weight | Under 1.6 kg | Under 1.3 kg |
| Protection | Hard case or padded sleeve | Rugged case |
Not suitable: iPads and Android tablets (a keyboard case does not make them suitable), Chromebooks (some Year 12 software is not supported), gaming laptops (weight and battery), and devices running Windows 10 or older macOS versions that no longer receive security updates. Students moving up from the Junior School may keep using a device that meets the minimum specifications.
Approved models and the College Device Portal
Families may buy any device that meets the specifications, but we recommend purchasing through the College Device Portal (link on the Parent Portal → ICT). Portal devices are pre-imaged with College software, come with three-year onsite warranty and optional accidental damage insurance, and are delivered to school for Device Collection Day. 2027 portal models and indicative prices:
| Model | Type | Price (incl. GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 6 (recommended) | Windows 2-in-1, stylus included | $1,489 |
| HP ProBook x360 435 G11 | Windows 2-in-1 | $1,395 |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 13.8-inch | Windows laptop | $1,749 |
| Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4, 16 GB/256 GB) | macOS laptop | $1,699 |
Optional extras: three-year accidental damage insurance ($249, $50 excess per claim, covers drops and liquid but not loss or theft); spare charger ($89); rugged case ($59). Orders placed by Friday 4 December 2026 are guaranteed for collection on Device Collection Day, Friday 22 January 2027, 9:00am–3:00pm, Library. Payment is by card or an interest-free 12-month plan through the supplier. The College receives no commission.
Families experiencing financial hardship may speak confidentially with Business Manager Mrs Annette Kowalski about the College's device assistance scheme.
Software and accounts
- Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Teams) is provided free through the student's College account on up to five devices.
- Adobe Creative Cloud is provided for students in Media, Visual Communication Design and Studio Arts.
- Students install College Wi-Fi certificates and the Learning Hub app on Collection Day or, for existing students, at the Helpdesk.
- Content filtering applies on the College network. At home, families are responsible for supervision; the eSafety Commissioner's parent guides are linked on the Parent Portal.
Insurance and warranty
The College does not insure student devices and is not liable for loss or damage at school. We strongly recommend either the portal's accidental damage cover or checking that the device is listed under your home contents policy for portable items. Portal devices with warranty or insurance issues are lodged at the Helpdesk and a loan device is issued while repairs take place (usually five to ten school days).
Chargers and batteries
Devices must arrive fully charged each day; a full day's classes use most of a battery. Classrooms do not have charging points for students. A small number of chargers can be borrowed from the Helpdesk on the day for a $2 deposit. Please label the charger and the device with the student's name — unlabelled chargers make up most of Senior School lost property.
Care rules
- Carry the device in a padded sleeve or hard case, inside the school bag, with the lid closed.
- Never leave a device unattended in the yard, on a bus or in an unlocked locker. Lockers must be locked at all times.
- No food or drink near the device; drink bottles closed in bags.
- Do not lend the device or share passwords. Log out of shared services.
- Keep the operating system updated; updates should run at home, not in class.
- Stickers are fine; removing the asset label on portal devices is not.
- Use the device only for learning during class; games and streaming are blocked on the network and not permitted on personal hotspots. See Mobile Phones Policy for the related rules about phones and smartwatches.
Forgotten, broken or lost devices
- Forgotten: a loan device may be borrowed from the Helpdesk for the day (three loans per term before a Year Level Coordinator conversation).
- Broken: report to the Helpdesk on the day. A loan device is issued for up to ten school days while repairs are arranged by the family or, for portal devices, by the supplier.
- Lost or stolen: report to the Senior Office immediately; the account password is reset and Find My Device is activated. Police reports are the family's responsibility for insurance.
The ICT Helpdesk can be reached on (03) 9555 0130 or ict@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au. New Year 7 families will hear more at the Information Evening on Wednesday 26 August 2026 — see Year 7 Transition.